News release from the City of Fort Wayne:
Fort Wayne awarded medals for addressing childhood obesity through Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties
(April 23, 2014) – The National League of Cities (NLC) has recognized Mayor Tom Henry and the City of Fort Wayne for completing the key health and wellness goals for Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC).
LMCTC is a major component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s comprehensive Let’s Move! initiative, which is dedicated to solving the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation. LMCTC calls upon local elected officials to adopt sustainable and holistic policies that improve communities’ access to healthy affordable food and opportunities for physical activity through five goal areas.
Nine medals were awarded to Fort Wayne for action taken to improve access to healthy affordable food and increase opportunities for physical activity.
*Bronze Medal in Goal I: Start Early, Start Smart
For having an active interagency collaboration on early care and education programs, including over 10 years of continued collaboration with Tender Hearts Home Childcare, providing meals, education, and motor skill development activities for preschool youth.*Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals in Goal II: MyPlate, Your Place
For prominently displaying MyPlate in 100% of municipally- or county-owned or operated venues that serve food and for registering as a MyPlate Community Partner. The balanced diet information signs displayed at City youth centers during Kids Café after school programs is one example.*Bronze and Silver Medals in Goal IV: Model Food Service
For adopting a policy for healthy and sustainable food service guidelines aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans for municipally- or county-owned or operated venues that serve food. The policy and training guidelines of Community Harvest Food bank and Fort Wayne Community Schools Summer Lunch services are used to ensure the quality of all food served.*Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals in Goal V: Active Kids at Play
For mapping all playspaces, completing a needs assessment of playspaces, developing an action plan, and launching at least three proven policies, programs, or initiatives from the action plan to continue to increase access to physical activity. Examples are the Boundless Playground therapy guides created for Taylor’s Dream, to enhance the play and learning experience for all youth. In addition, youth centers and playgrounds have a designated playspace and time for physical activity following each meal.“This is a tremendous accomplishment as we’ve come together as a community to start the process of addressing a serious health challenge,” said Mayor Henry. “We’re committed to providing opportunities for young people to succeed and find activities that enhance their quality of life and keep them physically fit and healthy.”
For more information about LMCTC and Fort Wayne’s accomplishments, visit www.HealthyCommunitiesHealthyFuture.org.
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